Automatic valve for fire-extinguishers.



PATENTED JAN. 16, 1906.

J. H. DERBY. AUTOMATIO VALVE FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.

AP PLIOATION FILED NOV. 7, 1902.

\AATN ESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUTOMATIC VALVE FOR FIRE-EXTINGUISHERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 16, 1906.

Application filed November '7, 1902. Serial No. 130,390.

' of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to automatic valves for fire-extinguishers, and more particularly to an improved form of valve for use in connection with what is known as the dry-pipe fire-extinguishing system. Its object is to simplify and improve the valve mechanism for automatically admitting water to the pipes of such a system.

In the dry-pipe system it is customary to provide a valve normally closed, by means of which the water is excluded from the pipes, to charge the pipes with compressed air, and to provide automatic means for opening the water-valve to admit water to the pipes upon a reduction of the air-pressure in the pipes. Most of such automatic valves as have heretofore been proposed may be divided into three classesnamely, first, those in which the water-valve of either the balanced or the simple type is held to its seat against the pressure of the water by air-pressure against a valve or a diaphragm directly connected to the watervalve. Such arrangements are defective for the reason that an excessive air-pressure is necessary to prevent the water-walve being opened by water-hammer and for the further reason that the passage for the water is not direct and unobstructed. The second class comprises automatic valves in which the water-valve is held to its seat by positive lockingmeans-such as toggles, detents, &c. and the fall of air-pressure operates through valves or diaphragms to release the retaining means. Mechanisms of this class are objectionable because of their bulk, complication, and exposure to tampering and injury and because they depend on springs or weights to operate the retaining means. The third class of automatic valves comprises those in which the watervalve is in the form of a gate or plug which is moved by a weight or a spring or a piston actuated by water-pressure put in operation by the fall of air-pressure. Such devices are open to the same objections as those of the second class and to the further objections that the water-valve is liable to stick or bind, and the use of weights prevents the use of the valves in all positions.

The present invention obviates the defects described; and it consists in the devices'and combinations of devices hereinafter described and set forth.

In the drawings accompanying the specification, Figure 1 is a view, partly in section, of the valve and its connection with the dry-pipe system; and Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of the same.

The illustrated embodiment of my invention is constructed as follows: The valve and its automatic operating mechanism are contained in a casing 1, which is divided into two compartments by a partition 2. In the upper compartment 3 is an air-valve 4:, which closes a passage 5 between the upper compartment and the lower compartment 6. The lower compartment is normally in communication with the atmosphere through the drainage-outlet 20, so that the air therein is at atmospheric pressure. In the lower compartment is a water-valve 7 which closes a passage connected with a water-supply pipe 8. The water-valve is loosely connected to a lockingarm 9, which is pivoted at 10 to the casing. The valve is normally held to its seat by the following means: Upon the free end of the locking-arm 9 is an inclined face 11, which bears against an incline on a locking-lever 12, pivoted at 13 to the casing. The upper end of the locking-lever bears against a strut 14, the other end of which bears against the lower surface of the air-valve 4. The airvalve is normally held firmly to its seat by air-pressure in the air-chamber 3, which is'in communication with the dry pipe system through the pipe 15. This pipe is normally filled with compressed air, but serves when the sprinkler is in operation to conduct water to the points of application. The water-valve in order to leave its seat must turn the locking-arm 9 about the pivot 10. This will cause the locking-lever 12, by the wedging operation of the oppositely-inclined surfaces, to turn to the left on its pivot 13 and to raise the air-val ve from its seat through the agency of the strut 14. The parts are so proportioned that a comparatively slight air-pressure on the air-valve will prevent these movements from taking place and the water-valve will be held to its seat against a considerable pressure of water. Upon the release ofthe l air-pressure by the automatic means provided for that purpose the pressure of the water, operating through the arm 9, the lever 12, and the strut 14, will raise the air-valve from its seat. The lockinglever and the strut comprise a toggle, and it is obvious that as soon as the lever and strut have moved sufficiently to be in line with one another the resistance to the opening of the Water-valve will cease and the locking-lever will swing freely out of the path of the locking-arm. Moreover, only a slight movement of the locking-lever is necessary to release the locking-arm. For these reasons the opening of the Water-valve occurs almost instantaneously upon the fall of air-pressure below a fixed amount. It is to be noted that although the mechanisms described serve to transmit force from the water-valve to the air-valve yet owing to the leverage of the locking-arm and locking-lever a comparatively slight pressure on the air-valve suffices to hold the watervalve to its seat, and for this reason the opposed surfaces on the locking-lever and locking-arm act substantially as a positive lock and prevent the water-valve from being raised from its seat by water hammer. Notches are provided in the bottom of the air-valve to receive the upper end of the strut, and by changing the position of the strut, as shown in the dotted lines, the elfectiveness ofthelocking-levermaybediminished, so as to increase the degree of air-pressure at which the water-valve will open. In order that the Water-valve may be held closely to its seat in all positions of the strut and locking-lever, the valve is mounted adjustably on the locking-arm. A screw 16, meshing with threads in the locking-arm 9, has a rounded head 17 bearing against a socket in the valve. A bushing 18, loosely surrounding the screw, prevents the disengagement of the valve and screw, but permits the valve to accommodate itself to the surface of its seat. Drain-pipes 19 and 20 are provided to drain the upper and lower compartments. Access to the interior of the apparatus is permitted by coverplates 21 22, which close openings into the upper and lower compartments, respectively.

By inclosing all parts of the mechanism within the casing the valve is protected from being tampered with; but the operating mechanism may be at any time inspected by removing the cover-plate 22. The valves when open assume the positions shown by dotted lines and tend to remain open until closed by hand. Since neither valve is accessible from the compartment inclosing the other, it is necessary to uncover both compartments in resetting the valves, and this assures the inspection of the valves and their seats. The valves are of a form free from liability to sticking, and owing to the absence of weights the ap-. paratus will operate in any position. All

parts of. the mechanism are accessible from one side. There are no diaphragms or gas ket s of material liable to be destroyed by decomposition or corrosion. The resetting of the valve is simple and cannot be improperly performed, and the sensitiveness of the mechanism is not dependent on the adjustment of the water-valve. The water-pressure can be removed without unsetting the valves.

The operation of the valve mechanism is as follows: The air-valve being held to its seat by a sufficient air-pressure against the force exerted against it by the strut, upon a predetermined fall of air-pressure the watervalve, through the agency of the intermediate means, will raise the air-valve from itsseat and will release itself in the manner already described. As soon as the locking-arm ceases to engage the locking-lever the watervalve will be swung upward by the water until it assumes a position substantially at right angles to its normal position, as is shown by dotted lines, and out of the path of the stream of water. The air-valve will be similarly forced aside and a direct and unimpeded passage will be secured for the water. When it is desired to reset the valves, the system is drained. It is to be noted that the valves in their opened position are prevented by gravity from closing. The cover-plate 21 is removed and the air-valve reseated. After the cover is replaced the air-pressure is renewed, the cover-plate 22 is removed, and the adjusting-screw 16 is loosened slightly to permit the water-valve to be seated and the lever and strut to be placed in position. The adjustingscrew is then tightened until the water-valve is firmly held to its seat. The water-pressure may then be renewed and the cover-plate 22 put in place. It is an important feature of this invention that the cover 22 may be removed at any time for the inspection of the IOO interior of the chamber 6, in which all the mechanism is contained.

The oppositely-inclined surfaces on the locking-arm and the locking-lever serve to hold the water-valve closed not only positively, but also frictionally. The frictional action is a feature of great value, because its effectiveness, unlike that of simple lever connections, increases with the amount of force anism, while making the automatic valve at the same time sensitive to a comparatively slight falling of air-pressureand securely locked against variations of water-pressure.

By making the part of the locking-lever between the inclined surfaces and the pivot substantially perpendicular to the water valve the upward pressure of the valve is communicated directly to the pivot without lateral stress on the lever and the effective length of the short arm of the lever is diminished, while the effectiveness of the friction-lock is increased. The inclined position of the strut with respect to the air-valve increases the effectiveness of the lever, while'the tendency to lateral motion of the valve, due to the inclination of the strut, is overcome by the pivoted arm on which the air-valve is mounted.

After a dry-pipe system has been in use and the water has been drained from the pipes and the valve reset it sometimes happens that a quantity of water remains in the pipes connected to sprinklers which have not been in operation, and this water subsequently flows back into the main pipe and collects in a column upon the air-valve, holding it firmly to its seat and preventing its operation in case of a fall of air-pressure. Water of condensation also may collect in this way. To provide automatic means for preventing this action, the dry-pipe main 15 in the present invention is inclosed within a larger air-tight pipe 23. The pipe 15 ends at a convenient distance above the valve-casing. Water returning from the dry-pipe system will collect in the space between the two pipes and not upon the air-valve. To prevent water from accidentally falling into the end of the pipe 15, a deflector 24 is attached to the end of the pipe. The deflector may be conveniently located at the junction of the branch pipes, as shown.

It is to be noted that while in the drawings I have shown the locking-arm as provided with the inclined face which cooperates with the inclined face on the locking-lever my invention is not limited to such construction, as

equivalent constructions with respect to this detail are within the purview of my invention.

While I have thus described and shown in the drawings the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be distinctly understood that my invention is not specifically limited thereto, as the same may be embodied in other forms of mechanism without departure therefrom.

Having thus described my invention, I desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. An automatic valve for fire-extinguishers, having, in combination, a water-valve chamber, a water-supply pipe and a dry pipe connected therewith, a water-valve in the said chamber for closing the water-pipe against the pressure of the water, an air-valve between the dry pipe and the water-valve chamher for closing the dry pipe held closed by the air-pressure, and connections between the said valves for holding the water-valve closed including members provided with inclined friction-surfaces through which the force is transmitted from the air-valve to the watervalve, so that increased pressure on the watervalve is increasingly resisted by the friction between the said inclined surfaces, substantially as described.

2. An automatic valve for fire-extinguishers, having, in combination, a water-valve chamber, a water-supply pipe and a dry pipe connected therewith, a water-valve in the said chamber for closing the water-pipe against the pressure of the water, an air-valve between the dry pipe and the water-valve chamber, for closing the dry pipe, held closed by the air-pressure, and connections between the said valves for holding the water-valve closed, comprising a locking-lever engaging the watervalve to hold it closed, and a link connection between the lever and the air-valve, substantially as described.

3. An automatic valve for fire-extinguishers, having, in combination, a water-supply pipe, an air-pipe, a water-valve for closing the water-pipe against the pressure of the water, an air-valve between the dry pipe and the water-valve, for closing the air-pipe, held closed by the air-pressure, and connections between the two valves for holding the watervalve closed by the air-pressure, comprising a lever engaging the water-valve and a strut engaging the said lever and pivotally connected with the air-valve, substantially as described.

4:. An automatic valve for fire-extinguishers,

having, in combination, a water-valve chamber, a water-supply pipe and a dry pipe connected therewith, a water-valve in the said chamber for closing the water-pipe against the pressure of the water, an air-valve between the dry pipe and the water-valve, for closing the dry pipe, held closed by the air-pressure, and connections between the said valve for holding the water-valve closed, comprising a lever, the lever and water-valve having cooperating inclined surfaces, substantially as described.

5. An automatic valve for fire-extinguishers, having, in combination, a dry pipe, an airvalve, a water-pipe, a water-valve, automatic means for releasing the water-valve on a drop in pressure in the dry pipe, and a closed reservoir in communication with the dry pipe, the connection between the reservoir and the dry pipe being arranged to divert into the reservoir water returning from the dry pipe system, so as to prevent the formation of a water column above the air-valve, substantially as described.

6. An automatic valve for fire-extinguishers, having, in combination, a dry pipe, an airvalve, a water-pipe, a water-valve, automatic means for releasing the water-valve on a drop in pressure in the dry pipe, an annular reservoir surrounding a vertical part of the dry pipe, an opening between the top of the res ervoir and the dry pipe, and means for divert- 'ing into said opening any water returning from the dry-pipe system, substantially as described.

7. An automatic valve for fire-extinguishers, having, in combination, a water-supply pipe, a dry pipe, a water-valve for closing the water-pipe against the pressure of the water, an air-valve for closing the dry pipe, a pivoted arm to which the dry-pipe valve is attached, a locking-lever engaging the water-valve, and a strut connecting the locking-lever and the air-valve, the strut being inclined to the airvalve, substantially as described.

8. An automatic valve for fire-extinguishers, having, in combination, a water-supply pipe, a valve for holding it closed against the pressure of the water, a dry pipe, an air-valve for closing the dry pipe held closed by the air pressure, a locking-lever pivoted to the valvecasing and engaging at an intermediate point a'surface connected to the water-valve, and a strut engaging the free end of the said lever and the said airvalve, substantially as de scribed.

9. An automatic valve for fire-extinguishers, having, in combination, a water-supply pipe, a water-valve for holding it closed against the pressure of the water, a dry pipe, an airvalve between the dry pipe and the water-valve for closing the dry pipe, held closed by the airpressure, a locking-lever pivoted to the valvecasing near the water-valve seat, the said lever being inclined to the plane of the watervalve, and a strut engaging the airvalve and the said lever, substantially as described.

10. An automatic valve for fire-extinguishers, having, in combination, a water-supply pipe, a water valve for holding it closed against the pressure of the water, a dry pipe, an airvalve between the dry pipe and the Water-valve for closing. the dry pipe, held closed by the air-pressure, a locking-lever pivoted to the valve casing and engaging the watervalve, and a strut connecting the locking-lever and the air-valve, the said lever and strut being inclined to the said valves and to each other, substantially as described.

11. An automatic valve for fire-extinguishers, having, in combination, a casing provided with an inlet-port and an outlet-port for Water, the ports being substantially in line with each other, a water-valve for closing the inletport against the pressure of the water, an air-valve for closing the outlet-port held closed by air-pressure, and a mechanism interposed between the valves for holding the watervalve in its closed position until the air-pressure upon the air-valve is relieved, the said mechanism including opposed inclined friction-surfaces and the valves and mechanism assuming, when the valves are open, a position out of line with the ports so as to form an unobstructed passage between them, substantially as described.

In testimony whercofIaffiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN H. DERBY.

Witnesses:

HORACE VAN EVEREN, FARNUM F. DORSEY. 

